Modi steps up quit heat on Shinde

Patna, Jan. 22: Deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi on Tuesday demanded the sacking of Union home minister Sushil Kumar Shinde for his “irresponsible statement which has weakened the country’s fight against terror”.

At the Congress’s Jaipur conclave on Sunday, Shinde cited the Samjhauta Express, Mecca Masjid and Malegaon blasts to say that training camps run by BJP and RSS were promoting Hindu terrorism. “We severely condemn Shinde’s remarks made against BJP and RSS. The home minister’s statement would not only weaken the government’s concerted fight against terrorism, while (the central govt) has been of the view that terror has no religion but would also strengthen Pakistan’s hand,” Modi told reporters here on the sidelines of his weekly janata durbar at his official residence.

Citing Lashkar-e-Toiba chief Hafiz Saeed’s statement, Modi said Saeed has not only praised the home minister’s statement but also said the home minister has accepted what Pakistan has been saying for quite a long time.

“The Union government should, instead, act against BJP and RSS if it has credible evidence against these outfits,” Modi said, adding that the home minister should not have said so if he did not have any evidence.

“I could have understood if such utterances would have been made by politicians like Mani Shankar Aiyar or Digvijay Singh but Shinde should have spoken with utmost restraint as he is the home minister of the country who cannot afford to be irresponsible,” Modi said. The deputy chief minister said the fight against terror has nothing to do with any religion, be it Islam or Hindu or Christianity, or with any colour such as saffron or green as terror has no religion. The party would burn the effigy of the UPA government across the state on January 24 for the home minister’s irresponsible remarks.

In reply to a query as whether or not Bihar has received a single penny from Jharkhand, which is due on account of pension and other fronts, Modi said Bihar has received Rs 50 crore from Jharkhand in this regard but the government is yet to receive Rs 2,584.09 crore, an amount to be paid to Bihar as ordered by the Centre.

“We have written four letters to the Centre and the chief minister has also talked to the Union finance minister in this regard. We have also requested the Centre to deduct Jharkhand’s share from central funds/grants/assistance but till date, nothing has happened. I hope that the process would be hastened because of the President’s Rule in Jharkhand now,” Modi said.

Hari salvo

Former minister of state (external affairs) and veteran JD(U) leader Hari Kishore Singh today took a dig at Sushil Kumar Shinde for the latter’s recent comment on “Hindu terrorism”.